Installation
Studio comes in two versions with the same interface and the same showfiles. Pick the one that fits what you're doing; you can switch at any time.
| In the browser | Desktop app | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Trying Studio, programming anywhere | Running shows on real lights |
| Get it | Open the live demo | Download it for macOS, Windows or Linux |
| Real lights | Also run the gateway on your computer (Outputs) | The gateway is built in |
| Your current show and imported fixtures | Kept in this browser | Kept in the app |
| Updates | Always the latest | Download the new release |
A show and imported fixtures don't move between the two by themselves: export the showfile and keep the .gdtf files (Moving a show).
Beta software
Studio is in beta: Known limitations lists what doesn't work yet. Please report problems on the issue tracker.
What You Need
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Browser (web version) | A recent Chrome, Edge or Firefox with WebGL 2 | Chrome or Edge |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Graphics | Integrated graphics with WebGL 2 | A dedicated graphics card, for the visualizer's high quality |
| System (desktop app) | macOS (Apple silicon), Windows or Linux, 64-bit |
A slow computer still runs Studio: lower the visualizer's quality in its settings. Without WebGL the visualizer can't run; the rest of Studio works.
Desktop App
The desktop app is Studio in its own window, with the gateway built in: install it once and it can drive real lights over Art-Net with nothing else to run.
Get it
Desktop builds are attached to Studio's releases, on the releases page, when a release ships them. Pick the file for your system:
| System | File | Install |
|---|---|---|
| macOS (Apple silicon) | asls_studio-<version>.dmg | Open it and drag ASLS Studio to Applications |
| Windows (64-bit) | asls_studio-<version>-setup.exe | Run it; it adds a desktop shortcut |
| Linux | asls_studio-<version>.AppImage, .deb or .snap | AppImage: make it executable and run it. .deb: install it with your package manager |
If the latest release has no file for your system, use the browser version in the meantime.
First launch
The builds aren't signed yet, so your system may warn you the first time. Only do this for files from the official releases page:
- macOS: "ASLS Studio can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer", or that it's damaged. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security and press Open Anyway next to the message about ASLS Studio, then open the app again.
- Windows: SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC". Press More info, then Run anyway.
- Linux: an AppImage needs execute permission:
chmod +x asls_studio-*.AppImagein a terminal, or tick "Allow executing file as program" in its properties.
The first time, Studio opens the demo show.
The built-in gateway
The app starts the gateway when it opens and stops it when it closes; connect Studio to it as Outputs explains. If the gateway program can't be launched, the app shows "Failed to start WSC Gateway": reinstall the app. Don't run a second gateway of your own next to the app: both want port 4515.
Next
- New to Studio? Build your first show.
- Going to real lights? Read Outputs.
Running Studio from source
To host the web version yourself or contribute, build it from the
source code: its README has the steps (Node.js 18,npm install, npm start).